The Importance of Treating a Chipped Tooth

Chipped teeth are often considered a purely aesthetic issue. While a chipped tooth certainly affects your smile, especially if you’ve damaged one of your front teeth, there are other serious consequences that can’t be ignored. Depending on its severity, a chipped tooth can be very painful, and even possibly cause an infection. This is why it’s of the utmost importance that you receive treatment from your Oakville dentist as soon as possible after damaging a tooth.

Consequences of a Chipped Tooth

A chipped tooth can cause smile imperfections and immediate tooth sensitivity, as well as lead to an infection. The risk of infection increases with the size of the chip and if left untreated, it can ultimately become abscessed and you may lose the tooth. In order to maintain your oral health, you should never postpone the treatment of a damaged tooth.

Causes

There are a number of possible reasons why a tooth might chip, from sports injuries, falls, and car accidents, to eating specific foods such as meat with the bone left in and corn on the cob. Chewing ice or hard candy can also lead to chipping. The stronger your teeth, the less likely you are to damage them, as weak teeth are far more susceptible to damage.

Prevention

To ensure that your teeth remain strong and resistant to chipping, schedule regular professional cleanings with your dentist and don’t forget to brush and floss daily. Wearing a mouth guard when playing sports, especially contact sports such as football and rugby, is another simple preventive measure. To avoid food-related tooth damage, opt for foods that don’t contain a hard element that could chip a tooth if bitten into, like deboned meats.

Treatment

The procedure required to repair your chipped tooth will depend on how severe the damage is. Your dentist may recommend one of the following available treatments:

In order to determine which solution best fits your needs, schedule an emergency appointment with your dentist in Oakville.

Making an Appointment

If you’re seeking treatment for a chipped tooth, our team at Monastery Dental is here to help. A minor chip might not seem like a big deal, but it still increases your risk of infection. If you have damaged one of your teeth, contact us to see an emergency dentist in Oakville as soon as possible!